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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Neighbour wants us to replace garage roof

187 replies

imnotyourbitch · 18/04/2023 14:49

We have an old side garage between our house and our neighbour. They don't have a garage, so while ours goes up to the boundary, theirs was removed many years ago, so they have the width of a garage between ours and their house.
The garage was built at same time as house, in 1950.

The garage has an asbestos roof. We had it checked by the council when we moved in (we were having other work done we needed building regs signed off on), and also had it coated with a protective coating, and we were told that it is perfectly safe as it is. Our long term plan is to have the whole garage replaced as part of a side extension, but that is at least 5 years away.

Our neighbour has cats who climb on the garage roof to sunbathe. (It's slanted, so not entirely flat but not a normal roof shape). They've said they are concerned that the cats claws will disturb the asbestos and cause health issues in the cats, and that we need to replace the roof. And after discussion, they've said they will report us to environmental health if we don't change it.

Technically, we could afford to do it, but it would wipe out all of our savings due to the cost of removal.

We paid for the roof to be coated to make it safer - it wasn't needed but we felt it would be a good thing to do. Neighbour didn't have cats when we moved in. Wiping out our savings would change our plans for the next year, and would also impact our kids hobbies (some of the savings is earmarked for new equipment for it) so we really don't want to throw it all on a roof for a few years. But also, I do get that if her cats claw / scratch at the roof it could put them at risk.

Aaahhhh. Any ideas?

OP posts:

pomers · 19/04/2023 22:07

We had similar, no cats but a joint roof. There is nothing they can do unless it is unsafe

Schnooze · 19/04/2023 22:09

Fine to replace if they pay for it. You don’t want or need it. If they want to then knock themselves out.

a1poshpaws · 19/04/2023 23:26

Tell them if they're worried about their cats' safety they will have to buy or self-build a Catio. There's more risk of the cats being run down by a vehicle or shot by a wee thug with an airgun than harmed by a protected asbestos roof.

Catios & Cat Patios | Steel Framed Catio Made in UK | ProtectaPet

Cat Runs and Catios UK | Outdoor Cat Pens and Cat Enclosures

Catios | Large Spacious Outdoor Cat Enclosures | Omlet

As an aside: my late husband and I for several decades ran a mixed species animal rescue - we had many cats who used to spend afternoons on the unprotected asbestos flat roof extension to our old croft, and not one of them ever developed a related problem.

Your neighbours aren't just CF's; they're bonkers.

TiptoeThroughTheToadstools · 19/04/2023 23:32

OP Asbestos is only dangerous when it is damaged or disturbed. It's not in any way illegal to have an asbestos roof etc... it's just not legal to use it now (since 2000) your neighbour can't force you to remove/replace it. I'd tell them to fuck right off. You don't owe them an explanation or details or your financial plans. They can report it to whomever they please, but they will be told (politely) that its nothing to do with them.

Teenagehorrorbag · 19/04/2023 23:38

maximist · 18/04/2023 15:14

I had an asbestos roof on the shed at my last house, which my cats loved to sleep on. One lived to be 17, the other's still going at 19. Doesn't seem to have done them any harm...

I doubt that scratching the roof, especially if you have put a protective coating on, would release any asbestos fibres. But even if it did - I don't mean to be nasty - as a cat lover and owner myself - cats only live up to about 20 years old max. It's not as though they are likely to have one sniff and keel over!

I think asbestosis in people is a long term thing where people who have been exposed to it gradually may become ill and develop cancer etc. Probably the cats would die of old age before that happened anyway....

Irrespective of that - they are batshit and need to pay or live with your roof.

Househusband123 · 19/04/2023 23:47

I don't mind cats coming in my garden, but I hate cat owners if they say "my cat doesn't like the dog/roof/furniture/silver ornaments in your garden". My response "Well tell your cat to keep out of my f...ing garden"

BaconChops · 19/04/2023 23:51

Bloody hell. Tell them to crack on and report you, in the meantime tell them to keep their cats off your roof! (Which they can’t) 😂

Mamanyt · 20/04/2023 01:37

"SO, I should pay for the damage your animals might to do my property? I'll be happy to replace the roof at your cost if it is damaged."

NutellaNut · 20/04/2023 01:54

Cheeky fuckers. Tell them to keep their cats off your roof.

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:06

mondaytosunday · 18/04/2023 15:07

I have cats that like to hang out on my neighbours sheds. No way would I dream of telling them to replace/repair or otherwise alter them! They'd probably just say keep your cats off my roof. Surely if the cats damage the roof their owners would have to pay for the repair?
Also if they did manage to damage the roof enough to cause fibres to be released it is unlikely to cause harm to the cats in the short term (unless they stick their heads and inhale). It would take years (probably longer than their lifespan).

This. Go on the offensive. Say you never thought of that scenario in spite of the roof being checked and cleared by Environmental Health. Could they please keep their cats in and/or remove their shed as you don’t want your garage roof damaged. They sound neurotic and ignorant. Also I’m concerned by your genuine statement of anxiety about how you could find the money for this work. Are you really taking this bullying so seriously and thinking you’ve got to jump at their ridiculous request?

T1Dmama · 21/04/2023 09:14

Sprinkler on roof on a timer? To turn on for 30 seconds every half hour?? Cats will soon avoid the roof and find another sunbathing spot.
Or just simply tell them / reassure them it’s been coated and if she threatens EH again, politely say that they’ve already certified it as safe even before the coating, so it’s extra safe now…
I’d be over polite and reassuring towards her as you have to live next to her, and don’t want her to appeal against your extension (although she probably will!)

Stewball01 · 12/05/2023 19:18

I have 2 house cats. Whisky and blighty.
They should teach their cats not to go on your roof. I would check the roof for damage. And tell the neighbours to bugger off. I'd also put something cheap but annoying to the cars so they'll be healthy.
One of my previous cats lived to 20.

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